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Proof

The Man Who Commanded Jefferson's Kitchen (Part 1: The James Hemings Story)

Proof

America's Test Kitchen

Society & Culture, Food, Arts

4.41.8K Ratings

🗓️ 2 October 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this three-part series, reporter Otis Gray explores the extraordinary life of James Hemings; the enslaved chef who forever changed American cuisine. Episode one traces James’ early years at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, his journey to becoming the first American to train in the kitchens of Paris, and the pivotal choice that would ultimately shape his future and his freedom. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rula.com/proof⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/proof⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey, proof listeners, it's Jack Bishop.

0:03.8

You know that here at America's Test Kitchen, we're all about giving home bakers the tools they need to bake like pros.

0:09.9

And I'm not just talking about stand mixers or baking sheets.

0:13.1

I'm talking about the ingredient central to so many of our favorite baked goods, butter.

0:18.6

Plugra is a European-style butter with 82% butter fat. That means less water and more

0:24.2

butter fat, which translates into tender pie dough, flaky pastries, and luscious butter creams.

0:30.6

Plugra butter is also slow churned, which gives it a creamier texture that blends effortlessly

0:35.3

into your dough. And Plugra butter was developed by chefs for

0:39.4

chefs, meaning home bakers like us get professional quality results in our own kitchens. Whether you're

0:45.4

rolling out pie dough for that holiday party or baking up pastries on a Saturday morning, consider Plugra

0:51.3

Premium European Style Butter.

0:58.8

Ever wondered what power is.

1:03.1

Power is transforming the sun into your own energy source.

1:06.2

Power is getting energy companies to pay you.

1:11.4

Power is enjoying your morning coffee, knowing you created the energy to make it.

1:15.6

Well, you and the colossal ball of fire in the sky.

1:19.4

Because with solar panels from Hive, the sun works for you.

1:21.3

Hive, know your power.

1:24.2

May not cover all electricity usage, roof and weather dependent.

1:26.7

Paid for surplus requires eligible SCT tariff.

1:35.3

Next year marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. We remember the founders, like Thomas Jefferson, but not always the cooks whose dishes help shape America's table. One of them was James Hemings. Inslave to

1:47.9

Thomas Jefferson, he crossed the ocean to France as a teenager and became America's first

...

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